Liverpool have made an approach for VfB Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo.
Reds supporters couldn't have envisiaged that they would be linked with a 30-year-old Japanese international seven days ago
Jorg Schmadtke is well-versed around the Bundesliga following his time in the hierarchy at Wolfsburg, among others.
Who is Wataru Endo?
Wataru Endo is a 30-year-old professional footballer, born in Yokohama Japan.
The 5 ft 10 in outfielder is a versatile option with the capability of playing at centre-back and also defensive midfield.
He has made 133 appearances for VfB Stuttgart since making the move to the MHPArena in 2020.
The majority of his time in Baden-Wurrtemberg has been spent in defensive or central midfield. Just two of his appearances have come in the middle of a defensive line
Strikingly, he has scored 15 goals for Stuttgart, 10 of which came from the base of midfield with as many assists.
Former VfB Stuttgart manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, who handed Endo the captaincy at Stuttgart, previously described him as a solider.
Matarazzo expressed Endo's importance, saying:
"It's important for me that our captain can take everyone with him, that he embodies the values we stand for and is an example to follow.
"I have chosen Wataru Endo because he's also someone who leaves room for other players to take responsibility."
Sven Mislintat, former Stuttgart Sporting Director, described him as
"incredible valuable". He said: "As a player and as a person, he's simply incredibly valuable. He's one of these anchors, a focal point in our system.
Whether he plays as a centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, it's good that he's there and performs."
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